Pope Francis has appointed a scholar priest from the diocese of Brentwood to the Pontifical Biblical Commission, which oversees the interpretation and promotion of Scripture in the Catholic Church.
Fr Adrian Graffy, who received his doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome in 1983, taught for over 20 years at St John’s Seminary in Wonersh, and is Chairman of the National Scripture Working Group, which is an instrument of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
He is also Director of the Commission for Evangelisation and Formation in Brentwood, and a parish priest in Gidea Park, Essex. Among his most recent publications are the Gospel of Mark and the Letter to the Romans in the 'Take and Read Series' published by Alive Publishing.
Fr Graffy’s reflections on the Sunday Gospel can be found at: whatgoodnews.org
Rev Dr Graffy said of his appointment: “I feel privileged and very much look forward to being of service.”
He added: “A great deal has been achieved in England and Wales in recent years by many co-workers to advance Biblical scholarship and the provision of easy-to-use resources. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and the Bishops’ Conference Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis for promoting understanding and love of the Bible, particularly through the publication of the teaching documents, The Gift of Scripture and the Study Guide to Verbum Domini, The Word of the Lord.”
Bishop Seamus Cunningham of Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, and member of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis, said of Fr Graffy’s appointment: “It is a just affirmation of his tireless work to encourage the Word of God to be read and heard …The work which Fr Graffy has been called to do by His Holiness is invaluable."
Bishop Alan Williams of Brentwood, said: “Fr Adrian takes an enormously valued lead in supporting parishes in our Diocese to know their faith better so as to be able to share it. The news of Pope Francis’ appointment … serves as a reminder of the centrality of the Scriptures to the Christian life.”
The appointment to the Pontifical Commission is for five years. The next next plenary Session of the Commission is 13-17 April, 2015.
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